SHARP SENSES
1024 Words
They tied thick and flattened rubber bands to the trees on both sides to surround the hole in the middle. Big stones were being filed in the distance as the first sign of danger. Two warriors also worked together to put up three signs to warn anyone who came to the area.
“Let’s go back, the night is coming" Jerick ordered after three hours of waiting.
Nobody questioned him. Because nobody is bothered to questioned the future Alpha.
As everyone started walking back toward the village, Maxine stayed close to Paul while trying to calm her thoughts. But something felt wrong. Because she could still feel Jerick’s eyes watching her from behind. And so the entire walk going home felt painfully long for her.
The Northern Valley looked peaceful in the afternoon, Large houses, surrounded the pack grounds while warriors guarded the borders. Bonfires burned near the training area, and distant wolf howls echoed through the mountains.
This was Maxine's home.
Yet today, it suddenly felt unfamiliar, and dangerous.
The moment Maxine entered the east pack house, Luna Serena rushed toward her.
“Oh my goddess!” her mother exclaimed worriedly. “What happened?”
“She fell into a hole near the forest,” Paul explained quickly.
The Luna immediately grabbed Maxine’s face gently. “Are you hurt badly? How's your wound?!"
“Just scratches.” Maxine answered.
Her father, Alpha Hector, appeared behind them with a serious expression. "You should know better than entering restricted forest areas.”
“I'm sorry, father,” Maxine muttered quietly.
But before anyone could continue speaking, another voice interrupted.
“The underground ruins, was reacted a while ago. Right before Paul reported that his friend was stuck on the forest"
Silence instantly stuck up the room, like electrical waves.
As if Maxine’s heart beat stopped. Slowly, she turned toward the entrance, and found Jerick stood there calmly. His crimson eyes remained fixed directly on her.
Paul frowned. “Sir, what are you talking about?”
Jerick ignored him.
“She touched something from that underground. And so, I could smell ancient magic in the air.” Jerick added.
Maxine’s face turned pale, after hearing about the word "ancient magic" In this generation, no wolf should know about that scent. Unless...
Jerick took one slow step closer. "Who exactly are you, Maxine Ortega?”
Fear crashed violently into her chest. And the room suddenly felt suffocating. Her parents looked confused while Paul stared between them nervously.
Maxine innocent faces, forced to laugh weakly. "You sound crazy.”
But Jerick didn’t smile. Instead, his eyes turned dark. “I know what I smelled.”
Their gazes locked.
And for the first time, Maxine realized something horrifying. That this man, Jerick was hiding secrets too. Because no ordinary wolf could recognize witch magic. Not unless he had encountered it before.
The room remained silent after Jerick’s words.
Maxine felt frozen where she stood. Her injured arm still burned painfully, but the fear inside her chest hurt far more.
About ancient magic. How could Jerick recognize it?
No ordinary wolf should know anything about witches. The elders taught that witches disappeared thousands of years ago during the Great War. Most wolves only knew stories meant to scare children.
Yet Jerick looked completely certain.
Alpha Hector crossed his arms. “Explain yourself, Jerick. My daughter is still young..."
Jerick finally looked away from Maxine and toward the Alpha. “The underground ruins reacted when her blood touched the floor.”
Paul scoffed. “Maybe because the place was old and unstable.”
“No. Something awakened in there.” Jerick’s voice remained calm but firm.
Luna Serena looked worried. “What kind of place was it?”
“A hidden chamber. Ancient symbols covered the walls.” Jerick answered
Maxine lowered her gaze, trying hard not to panic. If Jerick revealed everything now, she was finished.
Would her parents hate her?
Would they throw her out of the pack?
Or worse… they might kill her right away.
“We already sealed the area. But I think the elders should investigate further." Jerick continued.
Maxine’s heart pounded harder.
No.
If the elders entered that underground chamber, they would discover the books, the symbols, and maybe even the truth about her.
“We should leave it alone,” Maxine suddenly said.
Everyone looked at her again.
Maxine swallowed nervously. “I mean… it’s probably just old ruins.”
Jerick’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You seem very worried about those ruins.”
“I almost died down there,” she snapped defensively. “Of course I’m worried.”
For a few seconds, Jerick simply stared at her. Then unexpectedly, he smirked. It was not a kind smile, but because Jerick found that this report must be investigated thoroughly.
“Interesting. As you wish,” he said quietly.
That somehow scared Maxine more.
Alpha Hector sighed heavily. “Enough for today. Maxine needs to rest.”
Paul nodded and he turned to Maxine. "I'll go to get the medical box." he said. Then he left.
Maxine immediately moved toward the stairs, desperate to escape Jerick’s intense gaze. But just before she disappeared upstairs, Jerick's cold voice stopped her.
“You should clean your wound carefully.”
Maxine turned slowly. And Jerick’s crimson eyes locked onto hers again. “Blood attracts dangerous things." he added.
A chill ran down her spine. The way he said it felt like a warning, or a threat. Maxine quickly went to her room without answering. The moment she entered her room, she locked the door and leaned heavily against it.
Her breathing became uneven. “What is happening…?”
She looked down at her trembling hands. She thought her secret was safe. Now Jerick somehow, sensed it after only a second.
Something was terribly wrong.
Maxine walked toward her bathroom mirror and carefully removed the cloth wrapped around her injured arm. The cut looked strange now. Silver lines surrounded the wound faintly beneath her skin, glowing softly for a second before disappearing again.
Fears can be seen in her eyes. Because that was not a normal healing of wolf.
- Writer
